Description
Baked ziti with ground beef is the ultimate comfort food that combines hearty ingredients for a satisfying meal. This easy-to-make recipe features layers of al dente ziti pasta, savory ground beef, and a rich marinara sauce, all topped with a delightful blend of creamy cheeses that melts to perfection in the oven. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, this dish can be customized with your favorite vegetables or alternative proteins to suit any palate. In just one hour, you can serve a deliciously cheesy casserole that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish.
- Cook the ziti according to package instructions until al dente; drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked; drain excess fat.
- Stir in marinara sauce and simmer for five minutes.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese with half the mozzarella and Parmesan; add herbs if desired.
- Layer half of the cooked pasta in the baking dish, followed by half of the meat sauce, then all the cheese mixture. Repeat layers and top with remaining sauces and cheeses.
- Cover loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes; remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until golden.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg